Heavy surface mining draglines rely on Monighan cam walking mechanisms to move massive amounts of overburden. However, the extreme sliding friction, high loads, and slow-moving contact on Monighan cams present a brutal lubrication challenge. Without specialized heavy-duty lubricants, these walking mechanisms suffer from severe vibration, loud metal-on-metal chatter, overheating, and rapid wear.
How Do Whitmore WhitCam Lubricants Prevent Dragline Chatter?
Whitmore WhitCam lubricants solve the problem of sliding friction on Monighan cams by forming a dense, highly adhesive, and cohesive barrier coating. This tenacious lubricating film prevents metal-on-metal contact, dampening the vibration and chatter commonly encountered during a dragline walk. In field applications, operators observe that cams remain substantially cooler during long walks due to the high-efficiency solid lubrication package.
Because the coating is dark and highly visible on metal surfaces, equipment operators can easily inspect the cams visually to determine exactly when to re-apply the product. This high visibility eliminates guesswork, prevents over-application, and minimizes lubricant waste on-site.
What Is the Difference Between WhitCam Extreme and WhitCam NH?
While both products are formulated specifically for Monighan cam walking mechanisms, they differ in chemical makeup, viscosity, solids content, and intended operating environments:
- WhitCam Extreme: This solvent-free formulation uses a multi-component extreme pressure (EP) and anti-wear additive package containing graphite and increased molybdenum disulfide. It provides high wear protection matching that of traditional lead or antimony products. It is available in two versions: a Pumpable grade (25% lubricating solids, 325-355 worked cone penetration, and 26.5% water spray-off loss) and a standard Extreme grade (39% lubricating solids, 290-320 worked cone penetration, and a low 2.3% water spray-off loss). Both grades have a Four Ball EP weld point of 500 kg.
- WhitCam NH: This is a halide-free, non-halide lubricant designed for climates with mild winter conditions, such as Australia, South Africa, Florida, and the American Southwest. It features a base oil kinematic viscosity of 3,000 cSt at 40°C, a worked cone penetration of 365-395, a Four Ball EP weld point of 800 kg (before solvent), and passes the ASTM D-1743 Rust Test. Its low-temperature pumpability is rated at 30°F (-1°C) using a Lincoln Ventmeter at 600 psi.
Are These Monighan Cam Lubricants Safe for the Environment?
Yes. Both Whitmore WhitCam Extreme and WhitCam NH are designed to meet modern environmental and toxicity guidelines. Both formulations do not contain heavy metals or solvents that violate environmental standards. They pass the Extraction Procedure Toxicity guidelines and the EPA’s Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), earning them an official designation of TCLP-SAFE.
Where Can Whitmore WhitCam Lubricants Be Applied?
Although optimized for Monighan cams on draglines, these extreme pressure lubricants are highly effective in other industrial operations that meet specific criteria:
- Suitable Applications: Open gears, very severely loaded slow-moving sliding mechanisms, heavy-duty bushings, and linear slideways.
- Exclusions: Neither WhitCam Extreme nor WhitCam NH is suitable for use in rolling element bearings due to the high concentration of solid lubricants (up to 39% in WhitCam Extreme) and high base oil viscosities.
Summary
- Whitmore Monighan cam lubricants form a dense, cohesive, and highly visible coating that eliminates dragline walking chatter and vibration.
- WhitCam Extreme contains zero solvents, lead, or antimony, instead using graphite and molybdenum disulfide to achieve a 500 kg Four Ball EP weld point.
- WhitCam NH is a halide-free formula with an 800 kg weld point (before solvent) designed for mild winter climates like Australia and the American Southwest.
- Both lubricants are TCLP-SAFE and pass EPA Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure guidelines.
- These lubricants are ideal for open gears, bushings, and slideways, but must never be used in rolling element bearings.
Products discussed in this episode
- WHITCAM EXTREME 50-8OZ BAGS Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WHITCAM NH SUMMER DRUM Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WHITMORE WHITCAM TCLP-SAFE 32-4OZ BAGS Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WHITCAM TCLP-SAFE DRUM Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WHITCAM S TCLP-SAFE KEG Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WHITMORE WHITCAM S TCLP-SAFE DRUM Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WHITCAM S 50-2 OZ BAGS Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WhitCam NH Summer
- WHITMORE WhitCam NH Summer Keg Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WhitCam NH Summer Tote Propel Machinery Lubricants
- WhitCam NH Summer
- WHITMORE WhitCam Extreme Pumpable Propel Machinery Lubricants
Browse all Whitmore products on PE Energy Industrial Supply.
Related episodes
- WHITMORE Enclosed Gear Oil Guide: How Paragon, Decathlon, and Multiplus Protect Mining Gearboxes
- Whitmore Industrial Grease Selection Guide: How to Match EP Grease to Mining and Heavy-Duty Applications